Previously, on June 30, North Carolina Senators approved SB 711 in a committee. This bill would legalize medical cannabis for qualifying patients in the state. Now, the Senate Judiciary committee, who initially approved SB 711, have approved a revised version of the bill. Once the Judiciary committee approves the changes in an official meeting, the bill will move to the full Senate for discussion, debate, and potential approval.

Changes

Under SB 711, qualifying patients are considered those with “debilitating medical conditions.” Those include: cancer, epilepsy, HIV/Aids, Parkinson’s Disease, MS, and PTSD. Patients with terminal illnesses and those with six months left to live now qualify for medical cannabis under SB 711. Additionally, conditions which result in hospice care would qualify for medical cannabis under the Compassionate Care Act as well. 

The Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon, R, spoke to fellow lawmakers about the overall new revisions. They intend to “make sure that this will be the best bill of its kind” among state medical cannabis laws.

Also approved by the Judiciary Committee for SB 711 are certain cannabis-infused products. With specific prescriptions and measured doses from doctors, this includes smoking and vaping. Other cannabis-infused products include, “a tablet, a capsule, a concentrated liquid or viscous oil, a liquid suspension, a topical preparation, a transdermal preparation, a sublingual preparation, a gelatinous cube, gelatinous rectangular cuboid, lozenge in a cube or rectangular cuboid shape, a resin or wax.”

However, home cultivation of medical cannabis remains banned under the updated SB 711. Additionally, a patient must receive a reevaluation every year for their cannabis prescription.

Under SB 711, a Compassionate Use Advisory Board with 13 members would become established. Their goal would be to add new qualifying medical conditions as deemed necessary for medical cannabis. Additionally, a nine-member Medical Cannabis Production Commission would ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis for patients. They would also oversee licensing and generate enough revenue to regulate the program and make it self-sustaining. 

Future

For medical cannabis legalization this year, the Senate and the House as a whole would need to approve the bill before sending it to the governor. However, the state’s regular legislative session ends on August 31. There’s potentially not enough time for lawmakers to approved SB 711. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest. 

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